2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU turn signal

When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher
than normal engine and transmission temperatures
may result and damage your vehicle. Frequent
stops are very important to allow the engine and
transmission to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If your engine does overheat, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-29.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P).
When parking uphill, turn your wheels away from
the curb. When parking downhill, turn your wheels
into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks behind the trailer
wheels.
3. When the chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-35

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-19
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-22
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-26
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Pressure Cap...............................................5-29
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-31
Cooling System............................................5-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-49
License Plate Lamp......................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-51
Tires..............................................................5-52
Winter Tires.................................................5-53
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-54
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-60
High-Speed Operation...................................5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-64
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-69
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps
A. Backup Lamp
B. Turn Signal Lamp
C. Stoplamp/Taillamp
If you have an uplevel vehicle, see your dealer/retailer.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13for
more information.
2. Remove the convenience net, if the vehicle has one.
3. Remove the convenience net hooks holding the
trunk trim.4. Remove the three wing nuts, which hold the
taillamp assembly, from inside the vehicle.
5. Remove the taillamp assembly.
6. Remove the wiring harness from the taillamp
assembly by lifting the release tab.
7. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it.
8. Pull the bulb from the socket.
9. Install a new bulb.
10. Reverse Steps 2 through 6 to reinstall the taillamp
assembly.
5-49

5. Push the license plate lamp in and turn it through
the fascia opening.
6. Turn the two screws that hold the license plate
lamp clockwise to reinstall.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-up Lamp and Taillamp 921
License Plate Lamp 168
Turn Signal Lamp 3156
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your
dealer/retailer.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Inspect the windshield wiper blades for wear or cracking.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
To remove the wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm connector away from
the windshield.2. Push the release button.
3. Slide the blade forward.
4. Turn the blade toward you and continue to slide
forward.
5. Install the new blade onto the arm connector and
make sure the grooved areas are fully set in the
locked position.
For the proper type and size, seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-13.
5-51

TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identication code.
Any time you replace one or more of the TPMS sensors
or rotate the vehicle’s tires, the identication codes
need to be matched to the new tire/wheel location.
The sensors are matched, to the tire/wheel locations,
in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger
side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver
side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
The TPMS sensors can also be matched to each
tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire’s
air pressure. When increasing the tire’s pressure, do
not exceed the maximum ination pressure indicated on
the tire’s sidewall. To decrease the tire’s air-pressure
use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style
air pressure gage, or a key.
You have two minutes to match each tire and wheel
position. If it takes longer than two minutes to match
any tire and wheel position, the matching process stops
and you need to start over.The TPMS matching process is outlined below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN with the
engine off.
3. Press and hold the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter’s LOCK and UNLOCK buttons, at the
same time, for about ve seconds to start the TPMS
learn mode. The horn sounds twice indicating the
TPMS receiver is ready and in learn mode.
4. Start with the driver side front tire. The driver side
front turn signal also comes on to indicate that
corner’s sensor is ready to be learned.
5. Remove the valve cap from the tire’s valve
stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing
or decreasing the tire’s air pressure for about
eight seconds. The horn chirp, can take up to
30 seconds to sound. It chirps one time and then
all the turn signals ash one time to conrm the
sensor identication code has been matched to
the tire/wheel position.
6. The passenger side front turn signal comes on to
indicate that corner sensor is ready to be learned.
Proceed to the passenger side front tire and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
5-66

7. The passenger side rear turn signal comes on to
indicate that corner sensor is ready to be learned.
Proceed to the passenger side rear tire and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
8. The driver side rear turn signal comes on to
indicate that corner sensor is ready to be learned.
Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat
the procedure in Step 5.
9. After hearing the single horn chirp for the driver
side rear tire, two additional horn chirps sound
to indicate the tire learning process is done.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.
If no tires are learned after entering the TPMS learn
mode, or if communication with the receiver stops, or
if the time limit has expired, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF and start over beginning with Step 2.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.Tire Inspection and Rotation
We recommend that you regularly inspect your
vehicle’s tires, including the spare tire, for signs
of wear or damage. SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 5-69for more information.
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
The purpose of a regular tire rotation is to achieve
a uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. This
will ensure that your vehicle continues to perform
most like it did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate the tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See
When It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-69and
Wheel Replacement on page 5-74.
5-67

Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-26
Operation...........................................2-28, 2-30
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-81
Battery..........................................................5-42
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Panic Assist................................................4-10
System Warning Light..................................3-37
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-48
License Plate Lamps....................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-70
C
Calibration.....................................................2-39
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-108
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-13, 2-37, 4-18
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-92
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-73
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-52
Chains, Tire...................................................5-76
Charging System Light....................................3-37
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-96
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-42
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-50
2

S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-33
Safety Belts
Care of ......................................................5-92
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-16
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-25
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-30
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-30
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-11
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-3
Power Lift Seat............................................. 1-8
Power Seats................................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-9Securing a Child Restraint
Rear Seat Position......................................1-50
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-52
Security Light.................................................3-44
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-41
Publications Ordering Information...................7-16
Service, Scheduling Appointments.....................7-10
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-70
Setting the Clock............................................3-60
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-95
Shifting Into Park............................................2-35
Shifting Out of Park........................................2-37
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
11